The Open Borders WA Regional Visual Arts Summit brought together artists and arts workers to celebrate and reflect on regional visual arts practice. Presented by ART ON THE MOVE, John Curtin Gallery and Southern Forest Arts, it was an opportunity for the sector to come together, explore our collective strengths and knowledge, and reflect on our shared future.
Four days of open discussions, workshops and presentations coincided with the launch of the Open Borders regional arts survey exhibition at John Curtin Gallery. Most of the 40 artists and curators (and many more who were part of the Open Borders journey over the past three years) attended the Summit, travelling to Whadjuk Noongar Boodja from all corners of our vast State to celebrate the culmination of the project, and take part in learning and conversations.
Open Borders artist Marianne Penberthy talks about her artwork. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Open Borders co-curator Annette Davis talks about the exhibition. Photo by Ezra Alcantra.
ART ON THE MOVE artwork handling workshop at John Curtin Gallery. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Open Borders and Mycelium Project Coordinator, Fiona Sinclair of Southern Forest Arts. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Noongar artist Sandra Hill delivers her keynote lecture. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Galup VR Experience. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Official public opening of the Open Borders exhibition. Photo by Ezra Alcantra.
Open Borders artist Yu Duo talks about her artwork Chinese Dance Group. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Anita Petitt, Creative Corner and independent artist Tania Spencer. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Christopher Young artwork photography workshop. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Dr Renu Burr. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
James Hollands ‘artist pitch’. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Day 3 Summit participants. Photo by Daniel James Grant.
Speakers and facilitators included acclaimed Noongar artist Sandra Hill, cultural strategist Ricky Arnold, environmental ‘artivism’ expert Raphaela Raaber, and Open Borders survey exhibition curators Annette Davis, Jane King and Lia McKnight. Dr Renu Burr from the Centre for Social Impact led a series of conversations around the theme of opening borders to create a thriving arts ecology in regional WA, and Dr Shona Erskine wrapped up the discussion the next day with a reflective closing circle.
Participants were given the chance to hone their skills in talking about their practice across multiple sessions and were taught some valuable tips and tricks about artwork photography by Southwest based artist and photographer Christopher Young.
Additional offerings included the Galup VR Experience (which will be available to tour regionally via ART ON THE MOVE soon, details here), art handling and install training, a guided tour with curators Amanda Bell and Lee Kinsella of KANANGOOR / Shimmer at Lawrence Wilson Gallery, and a behind-the-scenes collections tour at John Curtin Gallery.
For the ART ON THE MOVE team and project partners, it was an absolute joy to connect with the 90 artists, curators, venue managers and arts administrators who attended over the week.
We asked some of these participants to share their thoughts on their experience.
It is such an energetic, dynamic, considered opportunity to catch up and learn so much more. I’ve come from a whole month of literally seeing probably three to four people a day to coming to this venue where it’s just so full of creative energy. The generosity of sharing information has just been fabulous. Might I add the exhibition is just… I am just overwhelmed by the exhibition, it is beautiful. There’s no words really, it’s just an experience.
Elizabeth Edmonds, Open Borders artist, Walpole
It’s very invigorating that you feel like you’ve made connections with other artists and art organisations, and it’s created a sense of more strength in the community. And feeling sort of very optimistic about how regional arts is going and how it’s perceived. So, it’s important to nurture those connections and all credit to the organisations that helped put this together.
Marcia Leonard, Cannery Arts Centre, Esperance
The Summit has been important to meet like-minded people, to meet people in the same realm and from regional areas. To collaborate with, and to network, and I suppose find that common ground and that realisation that we are all in the same boat, and where we need to pull together and where we need to head.
Anita Petitt, Creative Corner, Margaret River
On a personal level, in my own career, I’m really excited about going forward with my own art practice, not as a community artist, not as a curator, not as a teacher or lecturer, but just as Nikki the artist. It’s been a great opportunity and inspiring to hear and share stories to sort of gain traction for that direction.
Nikki Green, Butter Factory Studios, Denmark
The connection with people. The whole concept was great, the exhibitions around WA and coming down to one exhibition in Perth, it connects us together.
Valeria Scoponi, Courthouse Gallery+Studio, Port Hedland
From regional Esperance it’s on a rare occasion that I get to come to something like this, at this capacity as well. And so far it’s just been so humbling to connect with people who I’ve been talking to via email for so long, and seeing a bit of potential in ideas, it’s fantastic.
Sarsby Martin, independent artist, Esperance
It’s been so nice to all be together. I mean the mycelium really is the perfect analogy, isn’t it? It feels really rich, I think the exhibition is kind of the embodiment of that. You walk in and it’s kind of this magical cave full of objects that are very grounded in the different countries they’re from, its deep roots and it feels very rich and genuine and authentic and all of that coming together. You know it’s been a slow, deep project, so there’s a real depth that’s been brought together from all of these Indigenous countries and communities so that’s just inspiring to be in. And my goodness, Sandra Hill, that was a knockout, so very special.
Kate Mullen, Open Borders artist, Eagle Bay
The Open Borders exhibition shows at John Curtin Gallery until October 8, 2023. More information can be found on the John Curtin Gallery website.
The Open Borders 2023 WA Regional Visual Arts Summit was made possible with thanks to the following partners. We would also like to thank the Open Borders Working Group who provided guidance throughout this project; Annette Davis (Albany), Tania Spencer (Lake Grace), Gemma Ben Ary (Ellenbrook) and David Bowman-Bright (Carnamah). Thank you to John Curtin Gallery and The University of Western Australia for hosting these events.
